Baby Name Meanings · Nature, Place and Word Names
Names That Mean Ocean or Sea
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Meara
Irish
"pool, lake"
A name that has many close, more familiar relatives, like Mira and Myra.
Merial
Irish
"of the bright sea"
Merial is a feminine name with complex historical roots. It may derive from the medieval name Muriel (meaning 'bright sea' from Celtic elements 'muir' meaning sea and 'el' meaning bright) with an…
Meriel
Variation of Muriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
This pleasant modernization of a dated original is still rare but has real modern possibilities. Alternate versions include Merial and Meryl. Meriel was given to fewer than five baby girls in the US…
Meryl
Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish
"of the bright sea"
Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique…
Meli
Diminutive of Melissa or Cherokee variation of Mary, Greek, Hebrew or Egyptian
"honeybee; drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Meltem
Turkish
"sea wind"
A fairly common name in Turkey, referring to the north wind blowing off the Aegean Sea.
Meraud
Cornish
"a profit from the sea"
A medieval Cornish name which despite sounding similar to the French name Emeraude, is actually connected to the Welsh name Morfydd. Pronunciation rhymes with Herod -- and yes, the final d is…
Meri
Finnish; Maori
"sea; Mary"
Upbeat name that cheers you as soon as you hear it. One famous bearer is Maori feminist Meri Te Tai Mangakāhia. As Finnish name, it is connected to the sea.
Merlin
Welsh
"sea fortress"
This name of the famous fifth-century sorcerer and mentor of King Arthur may or may not be a bit wizardy for a real-life modern child. Its most noted modern bearer: football star turned actor Merlin…
Merrigan
Irish surname, related to the sea
A merry surname cousin of Kerrigan, could make a lively choice for a happy little girl.
Merrill
English
"sea-bright; pleasant hill"
Merrill, once fairly common for American boys back in the first half of the 20th-century, is now a rare choice, given to just 7 girls and 6 boys in a recent year. Alternative spelling Meryl is also…
Merton
English
"town by the lake"
Sounds like a displaced Dr. Seuss character.
Mervin
Welsh
"sea hill"
A blend of Mervyn and Marvin that is every bit as dated as either of the originals. That -erv sound is difficult no matter what. Mervin is still used today among Amish families.
Mija
Slovene diminutive of Marija
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Slovene Mia cognate, rarely seen in the US.
Mirren
Scottish
"drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
Mirren is a lively and attractive Scottish name, popular in its native country but best known outside Scotland as the surname of the English actor Dame Helen Mirren. It is thought to be a Scottish…
Moana
Maori, Samoan
"deep ocean, sea"
This Maori name, often heard in New Zealand, is an attractive, evocative choice for lovers of the ocean made famous – perhaps too famous – by the Disney heroine. Moana was also an alternate name for…
Moira
Irish, variation of Mary
"bitter; beloved; drop of the sea"
Well-established Irish and Scottish name that has never really caught on across the pond. Remembered by an older generation as the beautiful red-haired ballerina in the film The Red Shoes , Moira…
Morgana
Female version of Morgan, Welsh
"sea-circle"
Since Morgan is used as--or more--frequently for girls as for boys, this feminization has fallen by the wayside. It drew some brief attention via the pop singer Morgana King. The similar Morgiana…
Morrisey
Irish
"sea taboo"
When British rocker Steven Patrick Morrissey decided to use his last name alone, it became a viable option for baby namers, a lot cooler than Morris or Maurice.
Morwenna
Welsh
"maiden"
Morwenna is an ancient Cornish name now being revived in Wales, deriving from a Celtic word meaning "maiden", although the Mor- syllable means that it's often associated with the sea. It's been heard…